BIO: I began Jelly Beans Creative Learning in 1996. With this organization, I emphasized emotional competence and called upon drama and play-as-learning as tools for development and education. As an educator, I provided an educational experience that used dramatic activities to facilitate child development, social and emotional growth, and critical thinking. I strongly believe that if youth are given a chance to develop these skills, it's less likely that they will engage in violent and self-destructive behavior.
As a business, Jelly Beans expanded to encompass: ages 3-18; keynote speeches; teacher and childcare provider training; a Hamline graduate class; diversity classes; humanitarian-based curriculum development; and a children's book about empathy, set in Tanzania. The mission of Jelly Beans was recommended, endorsed, and written about in twelve regional publications!
My goal is to give youth the child/human development they need. I am concerned that kids are playing and interacting less, which is essential for brain development, as well as for acquiring soft skills and obtaining strong language development. I seek to provide that element of play to respond to this deficit, using drama to mimic playing.
First, I implemented the technique broadly. It was in eight cities concurrently. I taught literature, social studies, science, foreign language, and diversity classes using the technique. Next, I introduced the ideas and trained as many teachers and caregivers, as I could. I set out to encourage children's confidence, to empower them, and to inform other educators about this technique as a way to enhance any learning topic.
In 2011, I wrote the book Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope, which is set in Tanzania. It features the Barbaig tribe, a community of people that I had the privilege to meet in 2007 when I participated in a clean water project. The book is set in rhyme and communicates a message of empathy. It is also about kindness, resilience, and the power of love. With this book, I hope to plant seeds about having hearts of service in young people. I believe that we only need to inform youth about world issues to spring them into positive action!
I have long held an understanding that there are positive implications when our world has emotionally healthy people who can think critically. I know that people who are grounded and stable emotionally are able to make choices from that frame of reference. True critical thinkers are innovators and problem solvers, and it is imperative to foster these strengths early.
The next chapter in my journey includes a focus on writing under my pen name, SissyMarySue. I will be offering books with emotional competence, critical thinking, and global themes. Fiction provides an opportunity to deeply explore and more effectively communicate these essential topics about our shared humanity. I have retired the Jelly Beans Creative Learning organization in favor of my new business called SissyMarySue. Moving forward, I will offer books, educational opportunities, products, training, and speaking.
I am profoundly grateful to the countless people who have supported my new journey! Especially because I know I am the sum of all my parts! I am honored by the magnificent and deeply committed work of a large group of interns. I could not do this without their support! They exemplify the very thing we are working to manifest, and have sprung into "compassionate action." Collectively, we have all brought this book to life and will deliver it to our youth!
BooksAndAuthor.com: Why did you write Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope?
SissyMarySue: Thank you for asking me. There are many reasons but these are the most important for me to share. I felt compelled to since, simply teaching in schools about empathy, the scarcity of basic needs and the beauty of the tribe, we had provided with clean water, was not enough. I felt the necessity to share these messages to as many youth and adults as possible! It was my
intention that a book with these messages could spread hope, empower youth and adults, reminding that the good in our world
far outweighs the bad. The strong, sure message that non-violence remains the most powerful way of being and positively
impacting our world was vitally important to share. By planting seeds early, we preserve childhood and thus equip our youth to
operate from a whole frame of reference, complete with love, empathy and kindness.
1) I sought to teach through character and story—what empathy for each other looks like and how important it is to have
Empathy for all people in the world. The reader sees the main characters model empathy to each other, be shown empathy by
the Barbaig tribe and learns of the tribes need for clean water. The message of empathy is punctuated on a small and large
scale by these examples. The cheetah facts throughout the story remind the reader to have empathy about the plight of the
endangered cheetah, as well understanding our connection to all living beings on earth. I felt strongly that where we teach
model and show empathy, kindness and love there is more tolerance, peacefulness and harmony. The book is meant to help
circumvent bullying, violence and racism, in providing examples of the power of kindness, love and empathy.
2) I wanted to inform about the scarcity of basic needs for the majority of the world’s population and share the beauty of the
Barabaig tribe with their sincere gratitude for life and to “simply be.”
3) I sought to share that uniqueness is a gift and that we all belong with the message that we are one human Family.
4) The book is intended as a tool for educators and parents. As an educator who used this book as curriculum for almost four
years, before having it published, I wanted it to be a way to continue to mentor and encourage parents, teachers and child care
providers about the importance of emotional competence, critical thinking and the value of “play” for learning. I created a
Critical Thinking page in the book and included suggestions to teach it through drama/play for learning. There is a glossary of
terms on my Website in giant font to put on the smart board at schools- by page, soon a voice over for entire story and more
support for teachers in how to teach this actively through play/drama for learning. www.sissymarysue.com
5) Our youth need positive role models to want to emulate, with life affirming qualities, instead of the wide variety of negative
ones they are offered. The characters in the story are intended to offer that to young people!
6) I chose to meld fiction and reality to entertain, support, teach and inform. The village elder, the little girl and the humanitarian
are based on real people, I wanted to honor in the story!
7) The book is about perseverance. I wanted to encourage the notion that when we don’t’ self -absorb but give love out and
serve we find our wholeness.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Explain the title, Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope, as it relates to the book.
SissyMarySue: It is a play on words. Hope refers to both the hope each character demonstrates in the book but it also is the
name Jelly Beans the Cheetah gives to the little girl named Nichole, since she gave him hope.
Lines from the book- “Jelly Beans was inspired to share how Nichole had helped him cope. To honor her he wanted to give her the
name of Hope! He told her she had absolutely given him that, since he had felt so alone in the cage where
he sat.” Jelly Beans refers to the spots on the cheetah’s body that are shaped like jelly beans and multi colored like the candy.
He acquired his name-due to the shape of his spots even before they were colored. So the title includes the names
of both main character!
BooksAndAuthor.com: “Empowering youth with empathy to spring into compassionate action.” Explain.
SissyMarySue: I sincerely believe we need only inform our youth of world and social justice issues for them to spring into compassionate action in their families, schools, communities and in our world. I further believe in so doing they will usher in a time of more peace and harmony. I believe that those of us in the development world are so very fortunate and that includes our youth. When they focus outside of themselves on serving and giving they will find more wholeness. When youth are entrusted with serving and making a difference they possess more confidence and self-esteem. We will be in better hands in the future by empowering our youth with empathy. They will impact in many locations and lesson bullying, violence and racism through an understanding of our shared humanity that we are one human Family!
BooksAndAuthor.com: Tell us about Jelly Beans Creative Learning, which has been utilized in eight
cities and featured in 12 regional publications.
SissyMarySue: I am most honored to have served in this capacity. I began this education organization in 1996. I focused
on emotional competence (social /emotional, growth) and critical thinking. For almost 18 years I focused on facilitating and implementing a play/drama for learning technique, I originated, to provide for complete child development. I sought to empower other educators with the knowledge and tools to do so as well! I created multi- city programming, did in school projects, was an adjunct faculty member at Hamline University with this technique, trained countless teachers and child care providers and provided Keynote
presentations about the value of play for learning. I retired this business and began SissyMarySue LLC two years ago to focus on getting this message out through books, teacher training and ultimately instructional design and other applications surrounding technology.
BooksAndAuthor.com: In 2015 you did a lot of "Sold Out" Book signings at Barnes and Noble regionally and nationally. How do you get the word out? And how much do you enjoy book signings?
SissyMarySue: Wow, this was such an honor and so very humbling to get to serve with so many Barnes and Noble stores! To have them go so well was even more humbling, for sure! I traveled to Idaho and Alaska too, where I served Barnes and Noble! To have my
very first signing with B&N SELL OUT felt like a Dream- but not for necessarily for me only. For you see, each time it went well, it signified to me that the messages of the book were being embraced. They were grabbing hold! The Messages have
always been the most important part of authorship to me. I know they are far bigger than me! As an author, I see myself as secondary to them and feel more like an educator or a messenger. When I shared with other Barnes and Noble stores
that I had signings, with the company, I was honored, were highly successful, this opened doors. Other locations became eager to book me, when I approached them.
I believe, B&N appreciated how I approached each signing. In fact, it seems likely that the success of signings was a combination of B&N staff, the focus on the messages being most important and seeing a signing as an opportunity to serve, the people who came to
the store. As a result, when I set up a book signing it was not about me, it was about creating community. I set chairs at the signing table, was eager to learn of people’s views on the needs of our youth and world. I draped the table in the cloth worn by the
Barabaig tribe featured in the book, displayed a large sign that said FAMILY in capital letters, the gord the women used to get water from the earth dam included in the story and the shoes made of recycled tires the children in the tribe wore. Barabaig Tribe and
It was important to not set myself apart from people coming into the store. You see, I want people to feel and know that this book is all of ours. I am no different than any adult who is in the store, who cares about the children in their lives and other youth
as well. I also saw it as an opportunity in this technological time to offer human interaction. People need to have meaningful interactions. I am happy to share that there were people I talked to who did not buy a book too! I welcomed that, as well.
I should share too that I would read my book from my signing table as the need arose. I did the reading from the reading areas at times with the signings but preferred this. I read many times during the signing from the signings table since it was more intimate.
I just loved getting to share, listen, read, interact and serve in book signings! It is so very special and wonderful. I had 23 total signings last year-11 were Barnes and Noble!
BooksAndAuthor.com: Discuss briefly your humanitarian trip to Tanzania, Africa.
SissyMarySue: I had the privilege to represent Edina Rotary in 2007 on a humanitarian trip that surrounded Providing clean water for the Barabaig Tribe. WE had provided an Earth Dam (collects rain water) for them and one for the Cattle near their village. Before we did this the girls were not able to attend school since it had been their job to walk at night, miles and miles to where the water source was to collect clean water for the village. We stayed in the village with the tribe we helped. Mbeesah was a village elder with a luminous presence I included as a character in the book.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope is illustrated by Jacob Peterson. How did you and the artist meet and collaborate?
SissyMarySue: Oh, it was illustrated by three high school age artists actually. It was Jacob Peterson-A Brooklyn Center student artist and two artists from Perpich Center-Shelby Graves and Kylie Yeigh. Jacob earned his name on the cover since he took the book to the finish line! When my book was turned down initially by a publisher, I thought would be interested, it motivated me to find a way to continue to demonstrate the beauty of the story and messages. So I decided to have it illustrated, then re-submit it after that again to publishers. I approached Perpich Center first to see if students wanted to work as interns to help produce the images in exchange for mentoring and support. Next, while I was teaching at Brooklyn Center a student was recommended to me by another teacher at Brooklyn Center to finish the illustration work. As an educator it is incredibly special to me that young people –sprung into compassionate action –in responding to the books messages to bring it to stunning visual life. It would not be a five star rated book without the talents, hearts and minds of these incredibly gifted high school artists!
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope?
SissyMarySue: My favorite, is simply “I Love this book!” I hear that quite often and it fills my heart with so much JOY! That says it all to me. The reader feels the hope and positive messages of the book while being informed. “This is my son’s favorite book” was shared with me by someone who was not at a signing. I met her after a Twin Falls, Idaho signing, when I was having a salad at a Wendy’s Restaurant. I shared that if she had kids she should go next door to where I had a signing since there were a few
signed books left. When she asked me the name of the book, I showed her the image on my phone. She surprised me to tell me it was her son’s favorite and that he asks her to read it every night. I was misty eyed already with this when she went on to explain more. She said, “my son is severely Autisitc and has no friends. This book is so important to him!” I shared that without knowing it , the main character not only represents the plight of anyone who feels different but also disability too. I went on to share how a dear friend pointed out how the cheetah represents me coming back from brain injuries. I shared that when her son is older I wanted her to share that I understand what it feels like to have physical and emotional challenges. I hope the message that I found a way to persevere could give him hope! It is special that the child responded to an unintended message about disability but strength with it- that I only knew I created, when it was pointed out to me. We write what we know without intending a certain message that simply, organically appears. I felt on that day if I had only sold one book ever and it was to that child, it would have been enough!
Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope is a beautiful book that grew out of the author's experience as a Rotary Safe Water &
Sanitation Volunteer among the Barabaig Tribe in Tanzania, East Africa.
A tender experience that recounts relationships - friends, family, and ties to the animal kingdom -- in poetic form, the
author has produced a beautifully written and illustrated by young students whom she taught and mentored. The product of selfless compassion and love, this book can be used academically or as a good personal read for young and old.
Sandra Schley, Ph.D. Amazon Review
Finally -- a Message that Matters!
Buy this book and inspire your children to make a change in the world!!
Every once in a while a book comes around that has the potential to not only change the way in which we view the world,
but also how we view ourselves. Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope, I believe, is one of those books. At a glance, the
story revolves around two characters, a cheetah and a little girl that have both experienced loss, but through empathy
and love, are able to better themselves and help those around them. This book is much deeper than just a simple story,
it's a story that has meaning, a story that has a message. Love, empathy, the idea of a shared humanity, these are all
messages that need to be taught to children and the adults who spend time with them. With everything that is going on in
the world today, this book allows us to better ourselves and understand that we are all in this together. I absolutely loved
reading this book, it's cute, it's colorful, and it's very profound. Read this with your child, start the discussion about how
important kindness is, let them know that they can change the world.
Zach Klinkenborg Target Review
Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope is an excellent story for all. The message that the book is trying to send is one about self-esteem and empathy. Sissymarysue does an excellent job trying to reach readers and inspire them to take action in their own lives.
I would definitely recommend this book for all ages! Annonymous-Barnes and Noble
I know the author because she is a colleague of mine. She is an extraordinary woman who has for years now invested her life and heart into this book, and Sissymarysue as a person is all heart. She has high aspirations for this book; to touch people around
the world and to break down the walls that separate us as a world community. If you value social justice and have a propensity for thinking from an international perspective, "Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope" will speak to you. Todd J Weinhold Amazon
BooksAndAuthor.com: What do you hope to achieve with Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope ?
SissyMarySue: I have already achieved what was most important and that is to share it in the world from my heart and mind! Beyond that I do have the hope that I can encourage hearts of empathy, kindness, love and hope inspired from the messages of the book. I want to see this book sold and in as many hands as possible in our world and wish to offer it in multiple languages as well! I hope for the characters to resonate to a point where when I use them in other formats like plush animals, technology and film youth and adults will be interested in and comforted by the presence of them!
BooksAndAuthor.com: What was the last book you read?
SissyMarySue: Moral Capitalism
BooksAndAuthor.com: What's next?
SissyMarySue: I am working on the second book in the Jelly Beans the Cheetah series called “Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope-EMPATHY AIRLINES!” It already has a copyright. I hope to have it out this summer 2016 or by fall at the latest. In fact, the second book serves as my master’s thesis. I have written about five stories for the series so far and have written four other stories with
other characters and themes, I intend to produce as well. All of my books will surround emotional competence and critical thinking. Moving forward the goal of SissyMarySue LLC is to produce many books! As long as I am given the strength and desire to serve, I will continue to do so. Next, I have what would be considered lofty goals to some, since I would like to eventually produce aps, smart board and promethium board products, TV and film- all meant to offer positive, life affirming characters for youth to emulate. It is also meant to support teachers and parents. Plush animals and other physical products will be produced so youth can play with and become the characters in dramatic play! I feel this is a necessity since youth have far too many role models, in many forms of media are less than helpful for their development confidence and for the harmony and peace for our world. Too many are far too violent
and not focused on emotional competence.
We are working on producing the songs from the first book and the love song to mankind called “One Child Cries” that will be included in the second book.
I will likely begin a PhD Program in the fall with Fielding University, where I will design my program around the instructional design and books, I plan to continue to produce.
As a business, Jelly Beans expanded to encompass: ages 3-18; keynote speeches; teacher and childcare provider training; a Hamline graduate class; diversity classes; humanitarian-based curriculum development; and a children's book about empathy, set in Tanzania. The mission of Jelly Beans was recommended, endorsed, and written about in twelve regional publications!
My goal is to give youth the child/human development they need. I am concerned that kids are playing and interacting less, which is essential for brain development, as well as for acquiring soft skills and obtaining strong language development. I seek to provide that element of play to respond to this deficit, using drama to mimic playing.
First, I implemented the technique broadly. It was in eight cities concurrently. I taught literature, social studies, science, foreign language, and diversity classes using the technique. Next, I introduced the ideas and trained as many teachers and caregivers, as I could. I set out to encourage children's confidence, to empower them, and to inform other educators about this technique as a way to enhance any learning topic.
In 2011, I wrote the book Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope, which is set in Tanzania. It features the Barbaig tribe, a community of people that I had the privilege to meet in 2007 when I participated in a clean water project. The book is set in rhyme and communicates a message of empathy. It is also about kindness, resilience, and the power of love. With this book, I hope to plant seeds about having hearts of service in young people. I believe that we only need to inform youth about world issues to spring them into positive action!
I have long held an understanding that there are positive implications when our world has emotionally healthy people who can think critically. I know that people who are grounded and stable emotionally are able to make choices from that frame of reference. True critical thinkers are innovators and problem solvers, and it is imperative to foster these strengths early.
The next chapter in my journey includes a focus on writing under my pen name, SissyMarySue. I will be offering books with emotional competence, critical thinking, and global themes. Fiction provides an opportunity to deeply explore and more effectively communicate these essential topics about our shared humanity. I have retired the Jelly Beans Creative Learning organization in favor of my new business called SissyMarySue. Moving forward, I will offer books, educational opportunities, products, training, and speaking.
I am profoundly grateful to the countless people who have supported my new journey! Especially because I know I am the sum of all my parts! I am honored by the magnificent and deeply committed work of a large group of interns. I could not do this without their support! They exemplify the very thing we are working to manifest, and have sprung into "compassionate action." Collectively, we have all brought this book to life and will deliver it to our youth!
BooksAndAuthor.com: Why did you write Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope?
SissyMarySue: Thank you for asking me. There are many reasons but these are the most important for me to share. I felt compelled to since, simply teaching in schools about empathy, the scarcity of basic needs and the beauty of the tribe, we had provided with clean water, was not enough. I felt the necessity to share these messages to as many youth and adults as possible! It was my
intention that a book with these messages could spread hope, empower youth and adults, reminding that the good in our world
far outweighs the bad. The strong, sure message that non-violence remains the most powerful way of being and positively
impacting our world was vitally important to share. By planting seeds early, we preserve childhood and thus equip our youth to
operate from a whole frame of reference, complete with love, empathy and kindness.
1) I sought to teach through character and story—what empathy for each other looks like and how important it is to have
Empathy for all people in the world. The reader sees the main characters model empathy to each other, be shown empathy by
the Barbaig tribe and learns of the tribes need for clean water. The message of empathy is punctuated on a small and large
scale by these examples. The cheetah facts throughout the story remind the reader to have empathy about the plight of the
endangered cheetah, as well understanding our connection to all living beings on earth. I felt strongly that where we teach
model and show empathy, kindness and love there is more tolerance, peacefulness and harmony. The book is meant to help
circumvent bullying, violence and racism, in providing examples of the power of kindness, love and empathy.
2) I wanted to inform about the scarcity of basic needs for the majority of the world’s population and share the beauty of the
Barabaig tribe with their sincere gratitude for life and to “simply be.”
3) I sought to share that uniqueness is a gift and that we all belong with the message that we are one human Family.
4) The book is intended as a tool for educators and parents. As an educator who used this book as curriculum for almost four
years, before having it published, I wanted it to be a way to continue to mentor and encourage parents, teachers and child care
providers about the importance of emotional competence, critical thinking and the value of “play” for learning. I created a
Critical Thinking page in the book and included suggestions to teach it through drama/play for learning. There is a glossary of
terms on my Website in giant font to put on the smart board at schools- by page, soon a voice over for entire story and more
support for teachers in how to teach this actively through play/drama for learning. www.sissymarysue.com
5) Our youth need positive role models to want to emulate, with life affirming qualities, instead of the wide variety of negative
ones they are offered. The characters in the story are intended to offer that to young people!
6) I chose to meld fiction and reality to entertain, support, teach and inform. The village elder, the little girl and the humanitarian
are based on real people, I wanted to honor in the story!
7) The book is about perseverance. I wanted to encourage the notion that when we don’t’ self -absorb but give love out and
serve we find our wholeness.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Explain the title, Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope, as it relates to the book.
SissyMarySue: It is a play on words. Hope refers to both the hope each character demonstrates in the book but it also is the
name Jelly Beans the Cheetah gives to the little girl named Nichole, since she gave him hope.
Lines from the book- “Jelly Beans was inspired to share how Nichole had helped him cope. To honor her he wanted to give her the
name of Hope! He told her she had absolutely given him that, since he had felt so alone in the cage where
he sat.” Jelly Beans refers to the spots on the cheetah’s body that are shaped like jelly beans and multi colored like the candy.
He acquired his name-due to the shape of his spots even before they were colored. So the title includes the names
of both main character!
BooksAndAuthor.com: “Empowering youth with empathy to spring into compassionate action.” Explain.
SissyMarySue: I sincerely believe we need only inform our youth of world and social justice issues for them to spring into compassionate action in their families, schools, communities and in our world. I further believe in so doing they will usher in a time of more peace and harmony. I believe that those of us in the development world are so very fortunate and that includes our youth. When they focus outside of themselves on serving and giving they will find more wholeness. When youth are entrusted with serving and making a difference they possess more confidence and self-esteem. We will be in better hands in the future by empowering our youth with empathy. They will impact in many locations and lesson bullying, violence and racism through an understanding of our shared humanity that we are one human Family!
BooksAndAuthor.com: Tell us about Jelly Beans Creative Learning, which has been utilized in eight
cities and featured in 12 regional publications.
SissyMarySue: I am most honored to have served in this capacity. I began this education organization in 1996. I focused
on emotional competence (social /emotional, growth) and critical thinking. For almost 18 years I focused on facilitating and implementing a play/drama for learning technique, I originated, to provide for complete child development. I sought to empower other educators with the knowledge and tools to do so as well! I created multi- city programming, did in school projects, was an adjunct faculty member at Hamline University with this technique, trained countless teachers and child care providers and provided Keynote
presentations about the value of play for learning. I retired this business and began SissyMarySue LLC two years ago to focus on getting this message out through books, teacher training and ultimately instructional design and other applications surrounding technology.
BooksAndAuthor.com: In 2015 you did a lot of "Sold Out" Book signings at Barnes and Noble regionally and nationally. How do you get the word out? And how much do you enjoy book signings?
SissyMarySue: Wow, this was such an honor and so very humbling to get to serve with so many Barnes and Noble stores! To have them go so well was even more humbling, for sure! I traveled to Idaho and Alaska too, where I served Barnes and Noble! To have my
very first signing with B&N SELL OUT felt like a Dream- but not for necessarily for me only. For you see, each time it went well, it signified to me that the messages of the book were being embraced. They were grabbing hold! The Messages have
always been the most important part of authorship to me. I know they are far bigger than me! As an author, I see myself as secondary to them and feel more like an educator or a messenger. When I shared with other Barnes and Noble stores
that I had signings, with the company, I was honored, were highly successful, this opened doors. Other locations became eager to book me, when I approached them.
I believe, B&N appreciated how I approached each signing. In fact, it seems likely that the success of signings was a combination of B&N staff, the focus on the messages being most important and seeing a signing as an opportunity to serve, the people who came to
the store. As a result, when I set up a book signing it was not about me, it was about creating community. I set chairs at the signing table, was eager to learn of people’s views on the needs of our youth and world. I draped the table in the cloth worn by the
Barabaig tribe featured in the book, displayed a large sign that said FAMILY in capital letters, the gord the women used to get water from the earth dam included in the story and the shoes made of recycled tires the children in the tribe wore. Barabaig Tribe and
It was important to not set myself apart from people coming into the store. You see, I want people to feel and know that this book is all of ours. I am no different than any adult who is in the store, who cares about the children in their lives and other youth
as well. I also saw it as an opportunity in this technological time to offer human interaction. People need to have meaningful interactions. I am happy to share that there were people I talked to who did not buy a book too! I welcomed that, as well.
I should share too that I would read my book from my signing table as the need arose. I did the reading from the reading areas at times with the signings but preferred this. I read many times during the signing from the signings table since it was more intimate.
I just loved getting to share, listen, read, interact and serve in book signings! It is so very special and wonderful. I had 23 total signings last year-11 were Barnes and Noble!
BooksAndAuthor.com: Discuss briefly your humanitarian trip to Tanzania, Africa.
SissyMarySue: I had the privilege to represent Edina Rotary in 2007 on a humanitarian trip that surrounded Providing clean water for the Barabaig Tribe. WE had provided an Earth Dam (collects rain water) for them and one for the Cattle near their village. Before we did this the girls were not able to attend school since it had been their job to walk at night, miles and miles to where the water source was to collect clean water for the village. We stayed in the village with the tribe we helped. Mbeesah was a village elder with a luminous presence I included as a character in the book.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope is illustrated by Jacob Peterson. How did you and the artist meet and collaborate?
SissyMarySue: Oh, it was illustrated by three high school age artists actually. It was Jacob Peterson-A Brooklyn Center student artist and two artists from Perpich Center-Shelby Graves and Kylie Yeigh. Jacob earned his name on the cover since he took the book to the finish line! When my book was turned down initially by a publisher, I thought would be interested, it motivated me to find a way to continue to demonstrate the beauty of the story and messages. So I decided to have it illustrated, then re-submit it after that again to publishers. I approached Perpich Center first to see if students wanted to work as interns to help produce the images in exchange for mentoring and support. Next, while I was teaching at Brooklyn Center a student was recommended to me by another teacher at Brooklyn Center to finish the illustration work. As an educator it is incredibly special to me that young people –sprung into compassionate action –in responding to the books messages to bring it to stunning visual life. It would not be a five star rated book without the talents, hearts and minds of these incredibly gifted high school artists!
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope?
SissyMarySue: My favorite, is simply “I Love this book!” I hear that quite often and it fills my heart with so much JOY! That says it all to me. The reader feels the hope and positive messages of the book while being informed. “This is my son’s favorite book” was shared with me by someone who was not at a signing. I met her after a Twin Falls, Idaho signing, when I was having a salad at a Wendy’s Restaurant. I shared that if she had kids she should go next door to where I had a signing since there were a few
signed books left. When she asked me the name of the book, I showed her the image on my phone. She surprised me to tell me it was her son’s favorite and that he asks her to read it every night. I was misty eyed already with this when she went on to explain more. She said, “my son is severely Autisitc and has no friends. This book is so important to him!” I shared that without knowing it , the main character not only represents the plight of anyone who feels different but also disability too. I went on to share how a dear friend pointed out how the cheetah represents me coming back from brain injuries. I shared that when her son is older I wanted her to share that I understand what it feels like to have physical and emotional challenges. I hope the message that I found a way to persevere could give him hope! It is special that the child responded to an unintended message about disability but strength with it- that I only knew I created, when it was pointed out to me. We write what we know without intending a certain message that simply, organically appears. I felt on that day if I had only sold one book ever and it was to that child, it would have been enough!
Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope is a beautiful book that grew out of the author's experience as a Rotary Safe Water &
Sanitation Volunteer among the Barabaig Tribe in Tanzania, East Africa.
A tender experience that recounts relationships - friends, family, and ties to the animal kingdom -- in poetic form, the
author has produced a beautifully written and illustrated by young students whom she taught and mentored. The product of selfless compassion and love, this book can be used academically or as a good personal read for young and old.
Sandra Schley, Ph.D. Amazon Review
Finally -- a Message that Matters!
Buy this book and inspire your children to make a change in the world!!
Every once in a while a book comes around that has the potential to not only change the way in which we view the world,
but also how we view ourselves. Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope, I believe, is one of those books. At a glance, the
story revolves around two characters, a cheetah and a little girl that have both experienced loss, but through empathy
and love, are able to better themselves and help those around them. This book is much deeper than just a simple story,
it's a story that has meaning, a story that has a message. Love, empathy, the idea of a shared humanity, these are all
messages that need to be taught to children and the adults who spend time with them. With everything that is going on in
the world today, this book allows us to better ourselves and understand that we are all in this together. I absolutely loved
reading this book, it's cute, it's colorful, and it's very profound. Read this with your child, start the discussion about how
important kindness is, let them know that they can change the world.
Zach Klinkenborg Target Review
Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope is an excellent story for all. The message that the book is trying to send is one about self-esteem and empathy. Sissymarysue does an excellent job trying to reach readers and inspire them to take action in their own lives.
I would definitely recommend this book for all ages! Annonymous-Barnes and Noble
I know the author because she is a colleague of mine. She is an extraordinary woman who has for years now invested her life and heart into this book, and Sissymarysue as a person is all heart. She has high aspirations for this book; to touch people around
the world and to break down the walls that separate us as a world community. If you value social justice and have a propensity for thinking from an international perspective, "Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope" will speak to you. Todd J Weinhold Amazon
BooksAndAuthor.com: What do you hope to achieve with Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope ?
SissyMarySue: I have already achieved what was most important and that is to share it in the world from my heart and mind! Beyond that I do have the hope that I can encourage hearts of empathy, kindness, love and hope inspired from the messages of the book. I want to see this book sold and in as many hands as possible in our world and wish to offer it in multiple languages as well! I hope for the characters to resonate to a point where when I use them in other formats like plush animals, technology and film youth and adults will be interested in and comforted by the presence of them!
BooksAndAuthor.com: What was the last book you read?
SissyMarySue: Moral Capitalism
BooksAndAuthor.com: What's next?
SissyMarySue: I am working on the second book in the Jelly Beans the Cheetah series called “Jelly Beans the Cheetah and Hope-EMPATHY AIRLINES!” It already has a copyright. I hope to have it out this summer 2016 or by fall at the latest. In fact, the second book serves as my master’s thesis. I have written about five stories for the series so far and have written four other stories with
other characters and themes, I intend to produce as well. All of my books will surround emotional competence and critical thinking. Moving forward the goal of SissyMarySue LLC is to produce many books! As long as I am given the strength and desire to serve, I will continue to do so. Next, I have what would be considered lofty goals to some, since I would like to eventually produce aps, smart board and promethium board products, TV and film- all meant to offer positive, life affirming characters for youth to emulate. It is also meant to support teachers and parents. Plush animals and other physical products will be produced so youth can play with and become the characters in dramatic play! I feel this is a necessity since youth have far too many role models, in many forms of media are less than helpful for their development confidence and for the harmony and peace for our world. Too many are far too violent
and not focused on emotional competence.
We are working on producing the songs from the first book and the love song to mankind called “One Child Cries” that will be included in the second book.
I will likely begin a PhD Program in the fall with Fielding University, where I will design my program around the instructional design and books, I plan to continue to produce.